Day 20 of Mentor on Road, USA

“The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.”

-Swami Vivekananda

By now from Boston to Tampa to Birmingham we have driven 2200 miles (3640 kilo meters). We are yet to cover 7400 miles (11909 kilo meters) ahead in our journey.

Day 20 of Mentor on Road, USA, is a drive from Birmingham to New Orleans which is going to be the 10^th city and 16^th state of our tour. Since it’s a Saturday, we decided to take a day off and go for tourism to Red Mountain and Botanical Garden.

Red Mountain is a long ridge running southwest-northeast and dividing Jones Valley from Shades Valley south of Birmingham, Alabama. It is part of the Ridge-and-Valley region of the Appalachian Mountains. The Red Mountain Formation of hard Silurian rock strata lies exposed in several long crests, and was named "Red Mountain" because of the rust-stained rock faces and prominent seams of red hematite iron ore.

The mountain was the site of the Sloss Mines, which supplied ore to Birmingham's iron furnaces. The best displays of the mountain's geological strata occur at the Twentieth Street cut near the Vulcan statue and at the U.S. Route 31 highway cut leading into the suburb of Homewood. Most of Birmingham's television and radio stations have their transmission towers located on Red Mountain. 

Red Mountain is also home to the newly created Red Mountain Park, one of the nation's largest urban parks at 1,500 acres (6.1 km²), making it larger than even New York City's Central Park.

We completely enjoyed the Saturday break at the Red Mountain in Birmingham with an 8 miles walk trail in the midst of dense jungle and beautifully flowing water. The atmosphere was delightful with a picturesque sight. They also offer an amazing experience via series of seven exciting zip lines, sky bridges and cable swings across the terrain. 

Then we headed to the Birmingham Botanical Garden. Enjoyed a good family time there.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is 67.5 acres of botanical gardens located adjacent to Lane Park at the southern foot of Red Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama. The gardens are home to over 12,000 different types of plants, 25 unique gardens, more than 30 works of original outdoor sculptures, and several miles of walking paths. With more than 350,000 annual visitors, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens qualify as one of Alabama's top free-admittance tourist attractions.

The gardens include a garden center that has a library, auditorium, Linn-Henley Lecture Hall, Blount Education Center, Gerlach Plant Information Center, Alabama Cooperative Extension System office, Arrington Children’s Plant Adventure Zone, and a restaurant.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens began as an idea prior to 1960. The Birmingham mayor of that time, James W. Morgan, led an effort to establish the gardens on a 69-acre portion of unused city property east of the Birmingham Zoo on the side of Red Mountain. The garden officially opened in 1963. The Birmingham Botanical Society, now known as the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, was established in 1964 with a mission of helping the city to support and improve the garden.

It was time to get the first car service of Mentor on Road, USA - oil change, brakes check, speed check, wiper fluid, tyre pressure check, all systems reboot, vehicle identification number updated. Now we are on our way to New Orleans.

Anticipating an eventful day tomorrow.

Jai Ho! (Let victory be yours)